Chapter 85: SI Whatever (2)

It wasn’t like I could spend the entire day just talking to that SI Whatnot.

Although it was a bit late in the morning, I quickly finished getting ready for work.

Even Hye-eun, an A-class Hunter, strictly adhered to her work schedule, training and gaining combat experience every single day.

It wouldn’t make sense, logically speaking, for me, who had just become a C-class Hunter, to neglect training.

To close the gap even a little, I had to put in the same amount of effort.

More importantly, I couldn’t neglect my efforts to become a B-class Hunter.

I never even thought for a second that simply completing a few low-level requests would make me B-class overnight.

Since this was a plan I started bracing myself for, knowing it could take up to half a year, not rushing was the most important thing.

First, I should head to the Hunter’s Autonomous Union Guild and look for older B-class requests.

The thought of queuing up for the search computer at the Gangdong District branch, which only had three units, already made my head spin.

Last time, it was during the evening hours when people were leaving, so I didn’t have to wait.

But this time of day was when people heading in for the afternoon shift would flock, making it busy.

If I wasn’t lucky, I might have to wait for over 30 minutes.

「Starting the Hunter’s Autonomous Union Guild request search.」

‘Huh?’

「Please state the required conditions and sorting criteria for the requests you wish to search.」

‘That’s possible?’

「The Hunter’s Autonomous Union Guild’s request list can be accessed under the qualifications of C-class Hunter Kim Sungchul.」

「Using those qualifications, it is possible to view the Hunter’s Autonomous Union Guild’s database and sort the request list.」

‘…….’

What on earth did I buy with those 65 points?

Well, technically, it wasn’t accessing top-secret information; it was more like having someone do a tedious task for me that I could have done myself, but…

Regardless, just having it handle the process of borrowing a guild computer and searching the request list was a convenience I couldn’t ignore.

There was no reason to refuse the SI doing it for me.

‘Required conditions: B-class requests. Sorting criteria: By closest deadline.’

「Confirmed search conditions. Initiating request search.」

As soon as the SI’s voice echoed in my head, a new window suddenly appeared before my eyes as if projected onto a screen.

Immediately, a list of requests, similar to the one I saw at the guild last time, unfolded before me.

『B-class request, Cave Centipede Core Collection』

『B-class request, Skeleton Skull Collection』

『B-class request, Steel Snail Shell Collection』

『B-class request, White Slime Core….』

To think this level of capability was possible with an awakened ability.

While the convenience laid before me was astonishing, I also felt a bit scared, not knowing what my awakened ability truly was.

Just how far will this ability evolve?

「I cannot provide an answer to that question at this time.」

‘It was just talking to myself… no, just thinking aloud.’

「…I will be more careful next time.」

‘No, it’s fine. The information was helpful enough.’

I offered a small thanks to the SI, whose voice sounded slightly dejected, perhaps due to my imagination.

After all, the fact that it couldn’t answer indirectly implied that it would continue to evolve.

That alone satisfied some of my curiosity.

Still, even if it’s a system intelligence, being read like this, thought by thought, feels a bit burdensome.

Perhaps it feels even more so because it’s a female voice.

「If you wish, I can install a new male voice.」

‘No, don’t.’

「I anticipated you would respond this way, so I did not install it.」

Why would I want to feel a man’s voice echoing in my head?

The current voice is much better.

Thinking about it, this wasn’t the time to be arguing about such things.

Since the SI had already provided this convenient feature, it was my duty as the master to utilize it.

For the Cave Centipede Core Collection, I’d probably just need to go into the Obsidian Cave like last time, and for the Skeleton Skull Collection…

「Based on my understanding of your objective for undertaking requests and their difficulty levels, I recommend completing requests #120012, #140127, and #149932.」

‘Huh?’

「These requests involve collecting 20 Cave Centipede Cores, 30 Skeleton Skulls, and 15 White Slime Cores.」

…No matter how I think about it, this is too convenient.

Yeah, these three are definitely the ones I have experience with, making them the easiest to complete.

I can complete the Cave Centipede Core collection by going into the Obsidian Cave like last time.

Similarly, I can hunt Skeletons the same way I did when collecting their thigh bones. The only difference is the part I need to collect.

I hadn’t fought White Slimes before, but considering I’d prepare two means of attack, the hunting method wouldn’t be drastically different from fighting Black Slimes.

「I recommend attempting request #146623, the Steel Snail Shell Collection, after achieving Level 5 Fire Magic.」

‘Yeah, got it.’

「My authority is limited to searching and guiding guild requests; please complete the request acceptance at the Hunter’s Autonomous Union Guild counter.」

‘Good work, uh… SI.’

「It’s SI Whatnot.」

‘…….’

Seeing its lingering resentment pop up again just when I’d almost forgotten about it made me question whether it was truly a competent secretary or just a smart kid living in my head.

I’ll have to give it a different name soon, something it’ll actually like, instead of ‘SI Whatnot’.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Upon arriving at the guild, instead of heading towards the queue for the request confirmation computers, I walked straight to the request counter.

‘As expected, having a competent SI secretary makes skipping tedious procedures really convenient.’

「…….」

Look at it refusing to answer when I say something like that.

I deliberately thought it loud enough for her to hear, praising her, but it seemed she still held a grudge about me haggling down the price to 65 points.

…It’s not like it’s not doing its job, so it should be fine for now.

Unlike the long line for request confirmations, I waited at the request counter with only a couple of other people waiting.

Before long, it was my turn.

“C-class Hunter, Kim Sungchul-nim, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Did you come to reserve requests, or to complete them?”

“I’m here to reserve requests #120012, #140127, and #149932.”

“Okay, please wait a moment.”

I waited for the employee who had stepped away from the counter, and soon the one who took my Hunter ID returned.

“The Cave Centipede Core Collection, Skeleton Skull Collection, and White Slime Core Collection requests have all been successfully registered.

“Please be sure to check the request deadline and the list of materials to collect.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“And…”

Just as I was about to head into the dungeon with my magic-inscribed Hunter ID, the counter employee spoke again, as if they had something more to say.

Wondering if there was some overlooked precaution, I paused.

“Is there something else?”

“C-class Hunter Kim Sungchul-nim, you recently completed the B-class request for the Black Slime Core and Mucus Collection, didn’t you?”

“That’s correct.”

What’s with this reaction?

I thought I completed it flawlessly, but was there something wrong?

Or is the guild suspecting me of being a double-awakener because I took down the Black Slime alone?

“Ah, there’s nothing wrong with the request you completed, so please don’t worry.”

“…Yes.”

“On the contrary, the client was extremely satisfied with the request completed by Hunter Kim Sungchul.

They also asked me to pass on their thanks for completing it right before the posting period expired.”

“Is that so.”

Well, it makes sense; the guild wouldn’t deliberately try to figure out if their affiliated hunters were double-awakeners.

Someone with the skill of a double-awakener could easily transfer to a company or foundation at any time. Making them uncomfortable and causing them to leave would only be a loss for the guild.

“So, the client specifically requested to meet Hunter Kim Sungchul…”

“What?”

“Specifically, they said they ‘want to establish a recurring contract to supply the Black Slime’s mucus and cores.'”

“Normally, this process would be handled through a designated request procedure, but since you are currently a C-class Hunter, Kim Sungchul-nim, you cannot accept designated requests…”

Ah.

So, they can’t give me a designated request because of my rank, but they want to proceed with a procedure that acts as a substitute for one.

It was practically an acknowledgment that my skills were B-class or higher, which made my shoulders feel a little prouder.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t entrust a B-class request to a C-class Hunter as a designated request.

Of course, separate from that, my answer was practically already decided.

As I’ve said before, the reason I prioritize taking ‘low-level requests’ is solely to quickly raise my Hunter rank.

If I were truly desperate for money, I would have chosen ‘quick requests’ or ‘high-reward requests’ instead of ‘low-level requests’.

The purpose of completing requests that didn’t fit either category was to earn the performance points needed to rank up to B-class.

The guide’s offer was truly an unnecessary step for me.

If my goal had actually been to accept and complete a ‘designated request,’ I probably would have accepted.

Designated requests offer high performance points, just like low-level ones.

However, it was impossible for that to apply to me as a C-class Hunter.

Regrettably, I had to meet someone whose situation didn’t align with my goals.

“I appreciate the offer, but I…”

So, although I felt sorry for the guide who had explained everything so thoroughly, just as I was about to politely decline…

「The client for request #63230, which you have a record of completing, is Choi Hwayoung, a retired former S-class Hunter.」

「Checking the Hunter Libido Management System database indicates her current estimated acquisition points are 80.」

「As the SI, I will not interfere with your final decision, but I recommend meeting her once before making your judgment, if possible.」

The SI Whatnot’s voice suddenly echoing in my head made me reconsider my refusal.

A retired Hunter with accumulated libido…

“In that case, I shall inform the client that Hunter Kim Sungchul has declined…”

“W-wait a minute!”

“Yes?”

“Could you perhaps ask when I might be able to meet this client?”

Are they trying to pawn off an annoying request I don’t even need, just for some awakened points?

But then again, it was too many points to dismiss so easily.